Final day in Rio: Penny Oleksiak to carry Canada’s flag at closing ceremonies

It’s the final day at the games and the Canadian Olympic Committee has chosen swimmer Penny Oleksiak as Canada’s flag bearer for the closing ceremonies.

Oleksiak won four medals at the games in Rio including one gold, one silver, and two bronze.

Canada still has two events left to try and add more gold, silver, and bronze to the total: the men’s marathon and men’s cross country.

Long-distance runners Eric Gillis and Reid Coolsaet compete in the men’s marathon in Brazil. Gillis and Coolsaet have both previously competed in the summer games; Gillis came in 33rd overall in the 10,000m event at the 2008 Summer Games in Beijing and finished 22nd in the marathon at the 2012 Summer Games in London. Coolsaet competed alongside Gillis in London placing 27th.

Canada’s Raphaël Gangé and Léandre Bouchard compete in the men’s cross country event.

Canada is still far short of is 1984 record of 44 medals at the games in Los Angeles, but currently ranks 10th overall in the Rio medal count with 22 including four gold, three silver, and 15 bronze at the 2016 summer games. The United States leads all countries with 116 medals. (djs)